CONSTITUTION AND BY - LAWS OF THE MID-WEST TEXAS FIREFIGHTER’S ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

 ARTICLE I: NAME SECTION 1 The name of the Organization shall be the: MID-WEST TEXAS FIREFIGHTER'S ASSOCIATION.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

SECTION 1 The purpose of this organization is as follows: To create interest in the fire service, while promoting and enhancing the Departments of this District by sponsoring drills, courses of instruction and educational programs in the art of fire fighting; and fire safety awareness and prevention To foster and promote harmonious relations between the Fire Departments of this District. To hold stated meetings of the Association in order to become more closely associated with each other, thereby aiding all of the departments in this District in the furthering of Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1 The membership of this association shall be limited to the Organized Fire Departments of the following Counties: Borden, Callahan, Fisher, Garza, Haskell, Howard, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Mitchell, Nolan, Scurry, Shackleford, Stonewall, Taylor, Throckmorton, and any other counties that might, in the future, request membership in this Association

SECTION 2 There shall be one form of membership in the MID-WEST TEXAS FIREFIGHTER'S ASSOCIATION, namely, ACTIVE.  

SECTION 3 Active membership shall be termed as an organized Fire Department including its honorary and retired members.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

SECTION 1 The Officers of the Mid-West Texas Firefighter's Association shall consist of a President, four Vice Presidents, a Secretary - Treasurer, a Chaplain and a Parliamentarian. These Officers shall be elected the first semi-annual meeting of the year. The Chaplain shall be furnished by the Host City in case of absence of the elected Chaplain.

SECTION 2 The election of Officers of the Association shall be as follows: The First Vice President shall be elevated to the office of President, after his nomination has been made from the floor and there are no objections to his elevation. The Second Vice President shall be elevated to the office of the First Vice President, after his nomination has been made from the floor and there are no objections to his elevation. The Third Vice President shall be elevated to the office of Second Vice President, after his nomination has been made from the floor and there are no objections to his elevation. The Fourth Vice President shall be elected from the remaining members by nomination from the floor and a vote taken from the authorized delegates to the meeting: providing that in the case of the nomination of more than one candidate, the one receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected and in the case of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote. The Secretary - Treasurer shall be elected from the remaining members by nomination from the floor and a vote taken from the authorized delegates to the meeting: providing that in the case of the nomination of more than one candidate, the one receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected and in the case of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote. The Chaplain shall be elected from the remaining members by nomination from the floor and a vote taken from the authorized delegates to the meeting: providing that in the case of the nomination of more than one candidate, the one receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected and in the case of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote. The Parliamentarian shall be elected from the remaining members by nomination from the floor and a vote taken from the authorized delegates to the meeting: providing that in the case of the nomination of more than one candidate, the one receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected and in the case of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote. And be it further resolved that any and all of Article IV, Section 1 and Section 2 of the former Constitution or By- Laws of the Association be, and the same is hereby expressly repealed, annulled and superseded by the above and foregoing Constitution and By-Laws.   

SECTION 3 Any officer may succeed himself in Office if nominated and elected. In the event of a lack of motion to elevate officers, active members of member departments are qualified to hold office. The candidates shall be elected from the remaining members by nomination from the floor and a vote taken from the authorized delegates to the meeting: providing that in the case of the nomination of more than one candidate, the one receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected and in the case of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote. SECTION 4 No officer shall receive compensation for services rendered.

ARTICLE V: VACANCIES

SECTION 1 Vacancies shall be declared in the offices of the Association only upon death of an officer, his removal from the District, or, upon charges unbecoming a member of the Association, such charges being filed and upheld by the Executive Committee.

SECTION 2 Whereas vacancy exists in an office of the Association the President shall call a meeting of the Executive Committee and they shall appoint a successor, provided that the appointment is not within thirty (30) days of a stated meeting of the Association. Vacancies forming within thirty (30) day prior of a stated meeting of the Association shall be filed for election at the meeting.

SECTION 3 Appointments to Vacancies in the offices of the Organization shall be only until the first semi-annual meeting of each year.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS SECTION 1 The regular meetings of this association shall be held on the second Saturday in April and October. Planning meetings of the executive board and representatives of each member city shall be held at a place and time selected and designated by host department. This meeting shall occur within the five weeks prior to the date of the convention.           

SECTION 2 The Executive Committee shall be vested with power to change the date of the meeting when such meeting date shall result in a conflict that would result in undue hardship on the host department, or, severely impact convention attendance in a negative manner.

SECTION 3 The place of the meeting shall be fixed by each semi-annual meeting of the Association for the meeting place one (I) year in advance. In case the meeting fails to select a meeting place for the coming meeting, the Executive Committee shall have the power to select a meeting place, and make such arrangements for the entertaining of the meeting as may be necessary.

SECTION 4 In case of the selection of an alternate planning meeting or convention site by the executive committee, the scheduled host department, and, alternately selected host department shall be notified by registered mail not less than thirty days pending executive board decision.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1 Amendments to the Constitution shall be presented in written form. Amendments presented in oral form shall be prepared in written form before the adjournment of the meeting by any member of the Association at a regular stated meeting of the Association. After receiving a proposed amendment in written form; the Association can change the Constitution at any regular meeting by an affirmative vote by three – fourths (¾) of the delegates present.

SECTION 2 Amendments to these Constitutions and By-Laws that are not considered; or, which remained tabled shall be determined to be null & void at the adjournment of the fourth (4th) regular meeting after they are presented. The meeting in which they are presented shall be considered the first meeting.

ARTICLE VIII: VOTING POWER

SECTION 1 Each regular organized Fire Department shall have two (2) votes in the meeting of the Association and shall be represented by two (2) delegates who will have the power to cast the votes of their Department.  

SECTION 2 Each past president and each member of the executive committee shall have one vote at large; with the exception of the President who shall only vote in the event of a tie vote.

SECTION 3 Each Department shall have one vote at large, to be cast by the Chief of the Department. In case of his absence, the Subordinate Chiefs in order of their rank may represent him.

SECTION 4 Each duly recognized Fire Marshal or Assistant Fire Marshall for the City in which there is a member Department, shall have one vote in the meeting of the Association provided that he is present at the meeting.

SECTION 5 No vote shall be cast by proxy.

SECTION 6 All Departments shall be required to list with the Credentials Committee of The Association in advance of the opening of the meeting a list of duly elected delegates, alternates, Fire Chief, Subordinate Chiefs and their Titles, Fire Marshall, and Assistant Fire Marshall as certified by the Chief of the Department.

SECTION 7 Voting at the Convention shall be by standing vote of delegates only, unless a roll call is asked for by a delegate, in which event the President will call for a roll call vote or written ballot at his discretion.

ARTICLE IX: INTERIM POWERS

SECTION 1 Between meetings of the Association, the Executive power of the Association shall be vested in the Executive Committee.  

SECTION 1 Discipline and trial by the Association shall be limited to the conduct of its members only.

SECTION 2 Charges can be preferred against any Office of the Association only upon grounds of a serious nature. These charges shall be presented to the President of the Association in writing. The President shall then call a meeting of the Executive Committee to examine the charges and render their decision.

SECTION 3 Any accused Officer will have the right to appeal the verdict of the Executive Committee to the meeting of the Association whose action will be final.

ARTICLE II: DUES

SECTION 1 The membership dues of this Association shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) per city / department.

SECTION 2 The registration fee at a regular meeting shall be as follows:

ARTICLE III: COMMITTEES

At the beginning of his term of office, it shall be the duty of the President to appoint the following committees: A. Resolution Committee B. Credentials Committee C. Sergeant at Arms Committee D. Poster Committee E. Memorial Committee F. Racing Committee G. Firefighter of the Year The duties of these committees shall be outlined in Article V.

SECTION 1 It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the Association. He shall be head of the Association, and shall see that the Constitution and By-Laws are observed. The President shall coordinate with the host department and committee chairs to ensure all is in order for each convention.

SECTION 2 It shall be the duty of the First Vice President to assist the President in the discharge of his duties, sit in council with him in matters pertaining to the Association, and see that the Constitution and By-laws are observed. In case of the absence, resignation or death of the President, the Vice President shall preside in the order in which they were elected. Additionally, the First Vice President shall be chairperson of racing committee and coordinate with the host town to ensure all is in order to conduct the men’s and ladies races following the business meeting. This will include the responsibility of keeping the District racing equipment (nozzles, starter pistol and stopwatches) and ensuring this equipment is brought to each convention. Further duties shall include drawing the racing order of the teams and ensuring the Secretary - Treasurer has an accurate list of names for each racing team and, submitting the results of the Secretary - Treasurer for filing in the District’s records and the ordering of awards or plaques.

SECTION 3 It shall be the duty of the Second Vice President to be chairperson of the Children’s events and to coordinate with the host department for children’s events to be held following men’s and ladies races.

SECTION 4 It shall be the duty of the Third Vice President to be the chairperson of the Firefighter of the Year committee and the Poster Committee. Other duties shall include submitting the name of the Firefighter of the Year, and, the names of Poster Contest winners to the Secretary – Treasurer in a timely manner.

SECTION 5 It shall be the duty of the Fourth Vice President to be chairperson of the Training Committee. This will include coordinating with host department to ensure: a training program is in order; the training is presented by a qualified instructor, is suitable for attendees and ensuring all persons attending the training session receive a training certificate that clearly states the training topics, hours and SFFMA training objectives completed.

SECTION 6 It shall be the duty of the Immediate Past President to administer the oath of office to newly elected officers at the April Meeting.

SECTION 7 It shall be the duties of the Secretary - Treasurer to keep an accurate record of all meetings of the District Association and to keep accurate financial records including account balance, receipts and disbursements in a permanent book that shall be accessible at all meetings. He shall submit the minutes of each meeting to the SFFMA State Office; and, a yearly report immediately following the Spring meeting to the state SFFMA Secretary for publication in SFFMA Annual Conference minutes. He shall be the custodian of all property of the Association including, but not limited to starting guns, stopwatches and nozzles with the exceptions noted elsewhere in this document. Other duties shall consist of ordering and distributing the Firefighter of the Year plaque and the racing team plaques after receiving the recipient’s names from corresponding committee chairperson. He shall forward the names of deceased Fireman and Auxiliary members received from the member departments to the State SFFMA Office for inclusion in the annual memorial service conducted at the State Convention.

SECTION 8 In the hands of the Chaplain is placed the Spiritual welfare of the Association, and we look to him for divine guidance in all deliberations of the Association. He is urged to be present at all meetings of the Association, that his influence and guidance may be helpful to the conduct of the meeting. It shall be his duty to be Chairperson of the Memorial Committee and to be in charge of the annual Memorial Service in memory of deceased Fireman and Auxiliary members, and ensure the acquisition of flowers and wreath for the Memorial service. In the event of a death within the District Association, He shall notify each member department of the death.

SECTION 9 It shall be the duties of the Parliamentarian to interpret questions of parliamentary procedures regarding issues arising in regular business meetings, committee meetings, special meetings, called meetings and executive board meetings. All parliamentary interpretations shall be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, current version. He shall advise the President, or Chair as to the legalities of said issues with regard to the District’s Constitution and By - Laws, and the By - Law’s of the State Firemen's & Fire Marshals' Association of Texas. It shall also be his duty to recommend the advise of legal counsel if he believes such action is in the best interest of the District Association, it officers and members. In accordance with Robert’s Rules of order, the Chair is not bound by the Parliamentarian’s interpretation. In the event a ruling by the Chair is disputed after an interpretation is rendered by the Parliamentarian and an appeal is filed with the Executive Committee; the Parliamentarian shall justify his recommendation to the appellant and the executive committee. All appeals shall be justified within thirty days of the date the executive committee is presented with a request for an appeal. All requests for the review of a decision of the chair shall be submitted to the Secretary – Treasurer by registered mail, and, shall be post marked within seven calendar days of the date of the ruling in question. The Parliamentarian shall be a voting member of the executive committee, and shall be charged with assisting the Secretary — Treasure as needed.

ARTICLE V: DUTIES OF COMMITTEES

SECTION 1 Executive Committee: The Executive committee of the Association shall be composed of the elected Officers of the Association, and in their keeping is placed the affairs of the Association when not in meetings.

SECTION 2 Resolutions Committee: The Resolutions Committee shall consist of three (3) members and shall meet in the city entertaining the Association. They shall receive all resolutions presented in writing, and take such actions as they deem wise and make their report to the meeting assembled. Any Department submitting a resolution and not having the same acted upon to the satisfaction shall have the right to bring the resolution before the meeting from the floor after being recognized by the Chair, and the action of the members and delegates assembled shall be final.  

SECTION 3 Credentials Committee: The Credentials Committee shall consist of three (3) members and to them shall be given the list of Delegates, Alternates, Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs and Fire Marshals by their Departments. These are to be checked and certified by the meeting assembled. Additional lists or corrections may be made to this committee while in session, by the Department that, through conditions not in their power, shall desire to make a change in the certified list of delegates.

SECTION 4 Racing Committee: The Racing Committee shall consist of three (3) judges, one (1) starter, and two (2) timekeepers. It shall be their duty to enforce State racing rules for the pumper races and the rules for 2-man, 3-man, and 6-man hose lay as may be adopted by the Association. Each Fire Department shall be allowed two Pumper, two 6-man hose lay, but only one 2 man team. No one Fire person shall be allowed to run in more than one pumper or one 6-man hose lay. Each Department shall pay racing dues for each team racing. All members of the racing teams must be registered at the convention.

SECTION 5 Sergeant at Arms: The Sergeant at Arms Committee shall consist of a Chairman and two (2) assistants. It shall be their duty to maintain order and see that peace and harmony prevail.

SECTION 6 Poster Committee: The Poster Committee shall consist of three (3) people. It shall be their duty to judge the Fire Prevention Posters. Posters shall be judged according to the State Poster rules. Trophies shall be awarded as follows: A. KINDERGARTEN DIVISION PRE K-K B. PRIMARY DIVISION GRADES 1-2 C. INTERMEDIATE DIVISION GRADES 3-4 D. MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION GRADES 5-6 E. JUNIOR HIGH DIVISION GRADES 7-8 F. HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION GRADES 9-12

SECTION 7 Memorial Committee: The Memorial Committee shall consist of the Chaplain as Chairman and two (2) assistants. It shall be their duty to hold a Memorial Service in April of each year for departed members of the member Fire Departments and Auxiliaries.

SECTION 8 Firefighter of the Year Committee: The firefighter of the Year Committee shall consist of three members to be appointed by the President at the Spring District Meeting. The Committee shall meet at the Fall Planning Meeting to select the District Firefighter of the Year. Applications for Firefighter of the Year shall be due at the Fall Planning Meeting.

SECTION 9 A member of the executive committee charged with chairing a committee by these By-Laws, shall not be considered a presidentially appointed member of the committee, nor shall he / she be entitled to a vote except in the event of a tie.  

SECTION 1 The following order of business shall be carried out in conducting the Business of this Association. A. ROLL CALL B. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES C. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES D. FINANCIAL REPORT F. REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES E. REPORT OF CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE G. GENERAL BUSINESS H. REPORT OF RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE I. ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS J. SELECTION OF NEXT MEETING PLACE K. ADJOURNMENT

ARTICLE VI: ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS

SECTION 1 The provisions of the Constitution and By - Laws shall be operative immediately upon Adoption. Parliamentary procedure shall be according to Roberts Rules of Order. The Secretary and Parliamentarian shall cause same to be on hand at each meeting.

SECTION 2 History of By – Laws Amendments and Dates: The Current By – Laws Amendment was: Respectfully Submitted to the Association at the 138th Semi-Annual Convention, in Roby, Texas on October 6, 2007. By: J. Clay Deatherage, Parliamentarian, Anson Adopted by the Association at the 138th Semi-Annual Convention, in Roby, Texas on October 6, 2007  

SECTION 3 History of By – Laws Revisions: The current By – Laws Revision was: Respectfully Submitted to the Association at the 136th Semi-Annual Convention, in Anson, Texas on September 30, 2006. By-Laws Committee Steve Cochran, Chairman, Merkel Perry Thomson, Sr., Rotan Jackie Cannon, Merkel Randy Martin, Rotan Kristopher Hester, Merkel Linda Mathis, Colorado City Danny Campbell, Anson Cyrus Posey, Snyder J. Clay Deatherage, Anson Adopted by the Association at the 137th Semi-Annual Convention, in Colorado City, Texas on April 21, 2007 Jay Callaway, Snyder Steve Cochran, Merkel President Secretary – Treasurer This, current revision of Mid – West Texas Firemen’s Association Constitution and By – Laws replaces and supersedes the previous revision: Respectfully submitted and adopted by the Association on April 6, 1974 at the 71st Semi-Annual meeting of the Mid - West Texas Fireman's Association. Kenneth Wood, Snyder Robert Harris, Merkel President Secretary Committee Members: Tom Watson, Chainnan, Haskell John Kiker, Roby R.H. Whorton, Roscoe Mike Bell, Baird Lon Robertson, Colorado City Wayrnon Adcock, Merkel Harsell Ash, Throckmorton.

Revised April 21, 2007 Page 11 of 11 Amended October 6, 2007